fairy godmother

fairy godmother

1. In children's fairy tales, a woman with magical powers who appears in order to help others in their time of need. Cinderella's fairy godmother helped her get ready for the ball so she could meet Prince Charming.
2. Someone who helps others with their problems, usually providing financial assistance. Thank you so much for helping me with my car repair bill! You are my fairy godmother.
See also: fairy, godmother
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fairy godmother

A generous benefactor, as in An anonymous fairy godmother donated the money for the new organ. This expression alludes to a stock character in fairy tales such as Cinderella, who gives unexpected and much needed assistance. [Late 1800s]
See also: fairy, godmother
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a fairy godmother

A fairy godmother is a person, especially a woman, who helps someone a lot. When I began in the business, the woman I regarded as my fairy godmother was Sybil Thorndike. Our country needs a fairy godmother to pay its debts.
See also: fairy, godmother
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a/your ˌfairy ˈgodmother

a person who helps you unexpectedly when you most need help: You’ll need a fairy godmother to get you out of your present difficulties.The fairy godmother is the magical character in the story of Cinderella who helps Cinderella go to the ball.
See also: fairy, godmother
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a fairy godmother
  • a/your fairy godmother
  • godmother
  • once upon a time
  • magic carpet
  • a magic carpet
  • tooth fairy
  • fairy tale
  • horse-godmother
  • be away with the fairies
References in periodicals archive
* ON STAGE: Deena Payne as the Fairy Godmother with Cinders Emma Stephens and Ray Quinn as Prince Charming
Panto set to dazzle; Main Stage: Cinderella Sequins, snow and Shetland ponies... this year's panto at Darlington's Civic Theatre promises to be spectacular. JOANNE WELFORD finds out more
THE Queen visited Roger Charlton's Beckhampton stables yesterday morning, where she saw her smart filly Fairy Godmother exercise ahead of her intended return in the Group 3 Watership Down Stud John Porter Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Fairy on comeback trail
O'Haver's Los Angeles romance has a glossy, candy-hued look that bespeaks hundreds of hours glued to the collected films of Ross Hunter (watch the closing credits, which list a drag coordinator and a fairy godmother).
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
But now Tonicha will appear in Sunderland as Cinders in the panto with her real-life sister Filipa, 23 - who plays the Fairy Godmother.
Jeronimo! It's the not-so-ugly sisters
Coleen said: "The Liverpool Empire is one of the best and most prestigious venues in the country and I can't wait to play the Fairy Godmother there.
Join in the festive fun with the Liverpool Empire's Cinderella
ZENA SAYS: Oh, I do like being a fairy godmother! Your wish, my command, a sprinkle of fairy dust and, thanks to Russell Hobbs, you can have a purple kettle, a toaster...
With a bit of deep purple my kitchen's going to rock; TRICKS of the TRADE
She stars as The Fairy Godmother, while husband Sam Kane plays the dashing Prince.
CINDERELLA STAR LINDA HAS A BALL
But most of the children have no idea who their fairy godmother is.
Mills is fairy grubmother; BURGERS
TRAVEL agents in Stirchley have raised pounds 675 with a little help from their Fairy Godmother.
Workers did have a ball fundraising; South City News STIRCHLEY
Pictured with the ponies, Rhiannon Shrimpton (right) makes her professional debut as the lead alongside Barbara Hatwell, Brookside's Anthea Dixon, as Fairy Godmother.
Ponies trekking off to the ball... Theatre Also showing: Cinderella
HISTORIC: The Sunderland Empire and Mickey - in 1925.; MOVIE LEGEND: Mickey Rooney with his wife, Jan, who will both appear in panto Cinderella at the Sunderland Empire - Mickey as Baron Hardup and Jan as the Fairy Godmother.
Mickey Rooney to star in North panto
There were presents from "fairy godmother" Claire Allen, a midwifery sister, who has been at the unit since it moved into its new home in the pounds 410million superhospital site.
Birthday bash is one big party! ANNIVERSARY: First babies born in new unit return one year on
Fairy godmother Jill Halfpenny transformed Times Square into a winter wonderland.
Cinders finds that the skate fits her
One afternoon, out of nowhere, appeared her Fairy Godmother.
Something fishy in Perpignan
Along with archive interviews, footage of her early appearances, and memorable scenes from I Love Lucy, it creates an intimate portrait of the woman Maureen Lipman describes as "the fairy godmother of comedy."
LUCILLE BALL: QUEEN OF COMEDY (BBC One Wales, 11.05pm).; DOCUMENTARY